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Summary: Librarians Christine Freeman and Lauren Martino talk about MCPL's upcoming Summer Read and Learn program, which starts June 9 and runs through September 9. This program offers children and teens fun incentives to read and learn all summer long. There will be amazing events at MCPL branches throughout the summer as well. Join us for the fun!
Recording Date: May 9, 2018
Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne
Guests: Christine Freeman is MCPL's Early Literacy and Children's Services Manager, as well as Branch Manager for the Noyes Library for Young Children. Lauren Martino is a Children's Librarian at our Silver Spring branch. She is also one of the hosts of the Library Matters podcast.
Featured MCPL Resource: MCPL offers reading lists by grade and age, including a list for adults. Find something new to read today!
What Our Guests Are Reading:
Christine Freeman
- We Were Here by Matt de la Peña
Lauren Martino
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
Books Mentioned During this Episode:
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Gone Crazy in Alabama by Rita Williams-Garcia
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis
Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode:
1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Prepare your child for kindergarten with this fun, effective program that will engage your child with books, songs, fingerplays, and other learning activities.
Beanstack: A fun site for logging books and more. MCPL uses Beanstack for many programs, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, our Reading Challenge, and our Summer Read and Learn programs. Customers can also opt to receive weekly emails with suggested books for their readers.
Collaborative Summer Library Program: A consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children, teens, and adults at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries.
Eric Energy: An energetic scientist who will amaze children during his hands-on, interactive science show.
Jacks Are Wild: Don't miss Mario and Bella, a pair of spirited Jack Russell terriers who perform amazing tricks that will delight children of all ages.
Libraries Rock! Dance Party: Put on your best pop star outfit or wear your craziest hair and come join us to dance! dance! dance! We will have photo props, a bubble machine and a music playlist to keep you moving.
Milkshake: Join us at Damascus Library for an interactive show filled with fun, silliness, and dancing led by the Grammy-nominated duo Milkshake.
Nature on Wheels - Raptors!: Learn about raptors. like bald eagles and hawks, while surrounded by your favorite books!
Reptile Rangers: Join us at Maggie Nightingale Library and meet a live king snake, a corn snake, a terrapin, and more! Presented by a park ranger from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Summer Read and Learn Kickoff Events: Several MCPL branches are celebrating the start of our Summer Read and Learn program June 9.
Video Games at the Symphony: The Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony Orchestra will present family-friendly events at Silver Spring Library on 6/23 and Rockville Memorial Library on 8/11.
Zoomobile: Discover some of the amazing adaptations animals have for life in the wild and try some challenging activities to compare those adaptations to our own abilities.
Summary: Senior Librarian Adrienne Miles Holderbaum and Children's Librarian Maranda Schoppert discuss their experiences as expectant and new mothers, as well as the pregnancy and new baby resources MCPL offers.
Recording Date: April 11, 2018
Hosts: Julie Dina and Lauren Martino
Guests: Adrienne Miles Holderbaum, co-producer of Library Matters and Senior Librarian at Germantown Library. Adrienne has a 3-year-old daughter and is pregnant with her second daughter. Maranda Schoppert is a Children's Librarian at Germantown Library and has a 5-month-old daughter.
Featured MCPL Resource: MCPL's online health resources include:
- Health & Wellness Resource Center, which offers magazine and journal articles on health, medicine, and wellness.
- Washington Consumers' Checkbook (In Library Access Only), which rates local doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and more.
- Gale Virtual Reference Library: Includes searchable, browsable health e-books.
What Our Guests Are Reading:
Adrienne Miles Holderbaum:
- Madeleine by Ludwig Bemelmans
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
- There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: a Scandanavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids by Linda Akeson McGurk
- Black Flags: The Rise of ISIS by Joby Warrick
- The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright
Maranda Schoppert:
- Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence
- Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron
Books and Movies Mentioned During this Episode:
The Birth Partner: a Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin
Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
Bumpology: the Myth-Busting Pregnancy Book for Curious Parents-to-Be by Linda Geddes
The Business of Being Born (DVD)
Call the Midwife (BBC TV series)
The Expectant Father: the Ultimate Guide for Dads to Be by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
The Happiest Baby on the Block: the New Way to Calm Crying Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer by Harvey Karp
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May
Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
Impatient Women's Guide to Getting Pregnant by Jean M Twenge
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Health Pregnancy ed. by Roger Harms and Myra Wick
What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Muroff and Sharon Mazel
What to Expect When Your Wife is Expanding (mentioned, but not recommended) by Thomas Hill
Other Items of Interest:
1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Prepare your child for kindergarten with this fun, effective program that will engage your child with books, songs, fingerplays, and other learning activities.
Discovery Rooms: Available at Gaithersburg, Germantown, Praisner, and Quince Orchard, Discovery Rooms are designed for children from newborns to 8 years old and their caregivers to encourage learning through play.
The Farm Midwifery Center: A center in Tennessee focused on providing women supportive, empowering, safe, and fulfilling prenatal, birth, and postnatal experiences.
Freegal: Legally download 5 songs each week for free.
Glow: A pregnancy app offering information on fetal development, maternal health logging, appointment scheduling, and more.
Parents: Website of Parents magazines which offers information on many aspects of parenting, including pregnancy and infant care.
Storytimes at MCPL: Storytimes for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and families are available at MCPL branches throughout the County.
Episode Summary: Gardening enthusiast Beth Chandler, a librarian in our Collection Management department, shares her joy of and experience with gardening while suggesting books that help novice and expert gardeners grow their knowledge.
Recording Date: April 11, 2018
Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne
Guests: Beth Chandler, who was also a guest on our December 2017 science fiction episode.
Featured MCPL Resource: Master Gardener Plant Clinics. Bring your ailing plants or other gardening, lawn care, or landscaping questions to the experienced gardeners of the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension. This free walk-in service is available Saturdays, April through September, at MCPL branches throughout the county.
What Our Guest Is Reading:
The Minimalist Gardener by Patrick Whitefield
Crafting for Cat Ladies: 35 Purr-fect Feline Projects by Kat Roberts
Plants Mentioned During this Episode:
Books Mentioned During this Episode:
Glorious Shade: Dazzling Plants, Design Ideas, and Proven Techniques for Your Shady Garden by Jenny Rose Carey
The Mid-Atlantic Getting Started Garden Guide by Andre Viette, Mark Viette, and Jacqueline Heriteau
The New Small Garden by Peter Loewer
What Wrong with My Plant (and How Do I Fix It?) by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth
Other Items of Interest:
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, May 5 & 6, 2018: Celebrating all things sheep, from hoof to handwoven.
Master Gardener Program of the University of Maryland Extension: Master Gardeners are volunteers who combine their love of plants, people, and the environment to help residents in their communities solve problems and make environmentally-sound decisions.
Montgomery County GreenFest, May 5, 2018: GreenFest is the largest, annual environmental festival in Montgomery County, MD. A free event, GreenFest is a chance for residents, businesses, nonprofits and neighbors, to come together, share ideas and learn.
Episode Summary: Reading to dogs, Python coding, yoga? While MCPL still provides many much-beloved storytimes, our programming has become a lot more diverse. Assistant Director Mary Ellen Icaza and Library Associate Laura Sarantis talk about the innovative events happening at an MCPL branch near you. And don't forget, all MCPL programs are free of charge!
Recording Date: March 7, 2018
Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne
Guests: Mary Ellen Icaza and Laura Sarantis
Featured MCPL Resource: Yoga, Tai Chi, career workshops, computer use help, and more. MCPL offers an incredible variety of programs for our customers.
What Our Guests Are Reading:
Mary Ellen Icaza: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Laura Sarantis: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and The Path Between the Seas by David McCullough
Library Programs Mentioned During this Episode:
The Big Read: MCPL and its partners will host a series of events: book discussions, author talks, exhibits, and cultural events centered around the immigrant experience in the DC area and Dinaw Mengestu's book The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears.
Computer and Technology Classes, and One-On-One Instruction: MCPL's technology programs include downloading e-books, computer basics, and using tablets like the iPad.
Contemporary Conversations: Join MCPL for discussions about cultural and current issues with journalists, authors, and other speakers. Our next speaker is Dinaw Mengestu, author of the book The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears.
Conversation Clubs: Practice speaking English in a friendly, informal environment. Available at branches throughout the County.
Girlhub: Python Programming: Teens, learn more about computer programming through fun lessons about Python, HTML, and MIT Scratch. Register up to June 30, 2018. Hosted by high school robotics team 5421 RM'd and Dangerous.
Girls in Engineering: Work with other students to build bridges, create robots, and more.
Girls Just Want to Compute: Learn how to code, create, and work with other students interested in coding.
Job and Career Programs and Resources: From resume writing and interviewing skills to career exploration, MCPL has programs and resources to help you get a job or advance your career.
Knitting and Crocheting Clubs: Beginners and experienced knitters come together at branches throughout MCPL to learn about and share their love for the craft.
Makerspace Programs: Amateur radio, blimps, origami - there are programs for all kinds of makers at MCPL.
MoComCon: MCPL's comic convention. The second annual MoComCon took place this past January. See pictures from this event.
Read to a Dog: School-aged children, especially beginner readers, can boost confidence in their reading skills by reading aloud to a friendly, certified therapy dog. Available at branches throughout the County.
STEM Programs: From Archimedes to architecture, MCPL has many programs to promote interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Tai Chi and Yoga: Practice tai chi or yoga at a MCPL branch near you. Most of these programs are designed with the beginner in mind, so no experience is necessary.
Other Items of Interest:
Program Suggestion Form: Interested in doing a program for MCPL? Please complete this form with details of your suggested program.
Episode Summary: Retro tech enthusiasts Bill Carey and Eric Carzon talk about the renewed interest in vinyl records and other older technology, the April 21 Vinyl Day at Silver Spring Library, and why the VCR will not be making a comeback.
Our guests brought along some retro tech to show the hosts during the episode.
Recording Date: March 7, 2018
Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne
Guests: Information Technology Specialist Bill Carey and Twinbrook Branch Manager Eric Carzon.
Featured MCPL Resource: With ArtistWorks, you can enjoy unlimited access to beginning through advanced video lessons for many musical instruments and styles, including piano, bluegrass, guitar, and hip-hop. Also includes voice lessons.
What Our Guests Are Reading:
Bill Carey: The Roosevelts: an Intimate History by Geoffrey Ward and Cars, Cars, Cars, Cars by S.C.H. Davis
Eric Carzon: Vinyl: the Art of Making Records by Mike Evans and Vinyl Freak: Love Letters to a Dying Medium by John Corbett.
Albums and Artists Mentioned During this Episode: Check Freegal for downloadable songs from these albums and artists.
Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
Jesus Christ Superstar (album) - MPCL owns the movie version.
Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles
What's Going On by Marvin Gaye - MPCL has this album on CD.
Woodstock (DVD)
Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode:
National Record Store Day (April 21): Inaugurated in 2007 by indepdendent record store owners and employees, this commemorative day is meant to celebrate the culture surrounding independent record stores.
Vinyl Day: Just for the Record: Join John Corbett, author of Vinyl Freak: Love Letters to a Dying Medium, at this retro event celebrating vinyl records. Corbett will be one of several speakers discussing political and historical aspects of the vinyl record industry. Silver Spring Library, 4/21, 11a-4p. This event is hosted in partnership with MCPL, Open Sky Jazz, Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Friends of the Library, Silver Spring Chapter, and Levine Music.
Voyager Space Probe: Both the Voyager 1 and 2 space probes carry a 12 inch gold-plated copper record containing sounds and images representing life and culture on Earth.
Episode Summary: Children's librarians Olivia Darrell and Christine Freeman talk about MCPL's upcoming 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. It's a fun way to help prepare your child for kindergarten and beyond, all while fostering a love of reading. Registration for this program begins Saturday, March 24, 2018.
Recording Date: February 7, 2018
Hosts: Julia Dina and Lauren Martino
Guests: Olivia Darrell and Christine Freeman. Olivia Darrell is a librarian in our Collection Management department who selects the children's fiction for MCPL. Christine Freeman is our Early Literacy and Children's Services Manager. She also manages the Noyes Library for Young Children.
Featured MCPL Resource: Bookflix, read along with classic video storybooks on this learn-to-read site, which also includes related nonfiction e-books.
What Our Guests Are Reading Or Listening to:
Olivia Darrell: This American Life, an NPR show featuring spoken essays, memoirs, and other non-fiction narratives organized around a theme. No One is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts, and The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell by, well, W. Kamau Bell.
Christine Freeman: The Selection series by Kiera Cass and Sucktown, Alaska by Craig Dirkes.
Books and Other Media Mentioned During this Episode:
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Bark George by Jules Feiffer
Families, Families, Families by Suzanne Lang
First Snow by Bomi Park
Get a Hit Mo by David A. Adler
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards
Horn Book: A magazine filled with book reviews and articles of interest to children's librarians. It is used by librarians to select books and other material.
I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison
In Plain Sight by Richard Jackson
Jarabi Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith
Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn
Looking for Bongo by Eric Velasquez
Malika's Costume by Nadia L Horn
Marta Big & Small by Jen Arena
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
Quickest Kid in Clarksville by Pat Zietlow Miller
Star Wars Little Golden Book Collection
School Library Journal: A magazine filled with book reviews and articles of interest to school librarians and children's librarians. It is used by librarians to select books and other material, as well as keep up with developments in the field of children's librarianship.
Thunder Boy Jr by Sherman Alexie
We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp
MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode:
Beanstack: A fun site for logging books and more. MCPL uses Beanstack for many programs, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, our Reading Challenge, and our summer read and learn programs.
BookFlix: Read along with classic video storybooks on this learn-to-read site, which also includes related nonfiction e-books.
MCPL's 3rd Annual Reading Challenge
Picture books that include braille
TumbleBooks: An online collection of animated, talking picture books. Includes story books, chapter books, nonfiction, videos, and more. Includes books in French and Spanish.
Episode Summary: MCPL film fans Fred Akuffo, circulation manager at Long Branch library, and David Watts, circulation manager at Silver Spring library, look at this year's Academy Award contenders, consider past award winners, and share their love for very different kinds of movies.
Recording Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne
Featured MCPL Resource: Enjoy movie night at home with one (or more) of MCPL's thousands of feature film DVDs. From Batman to Bollywood, we've got movies for every film fan. Check out our latest movies and television series today!
What Our Guests Are Reading / Watching:
Fred Akuffo: Insecure, an HBO series starring Issa Rae. Newsroom, a behind the scenes look at a fictional cable news program. Deadwood, a Western tv series set in 1870s South Dakota. Fences, in which an African American former baseball player watches others break the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
David Watts: All the King's Men, a 1940s film about a corrupt populist politician. David has also recently read Midnight Line, the latest Jack Reacher thriller by Lee Child and Origin, the new Dan Brown novel.
Movies Mentioned During this Episode:
The Color Purple - The movie is based on a book by Alice Walker.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
Actors and Actresses Mentioned During this Episode:
Other Items of Interest Mentioned During this Episode:
Academy Awards for Best Picture winners
AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD
B-Movies - A favorite movie genre of guest Fred Akuffo
Episode Summary: Romance enthusiasts Carly Beveridge and Michelle Halber share their love for the characters, stories, and increasing diversity of romance books, movies, and TV series.
Recording Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Hosts: Julie Dina and David Payne
Guests: Carly Beveridge, children’s librarian at Silver Spring library, and Michelle Halber, also a children's librarian at Silver Spring library.
Featured MCPL Resource: Celebrate Black History Month with MCPL's many inspiring and informative events, books, and other resources.
What Our Guests Are Reading:
Carley Beveridge: Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth and Alex & Eliza by Melissa De La Cruz.
Michelle Halber: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera and Endurance by Scott Kelly.
Authors Mentioned During this Episode:
Jane Austen - Books and movies
Books, Movies, and TV Shows Mentioned During this Episode:
The Best Man by Kristan Higgins
Bridget Jones Diary - The book by Helen Fielding, was made into a movie.
An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole
The Outlander - First book in a series by Diana Gabaldon. The book series has been made into a TV series.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - The book, by Steve Hockensmith, was made into a movie.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - The book is the first of a series. Two movies were made based on the book series.
Stardust - The book, by Neil Gaiman, was made into a movie.
Waiting to Exhale - The book, by Terry McMillan, was made into a movie.
Warm Bodies - The novel, by Isaac Marion, was, yep, made into a movie.
Other Items of Interest:
cloudLibrary - Collection of fiction and non-fiction ebooks available for MCPL customers to borrow.
The Harry Potter Rule - If a series has more than 7 books in it, guest Michelle Halber is not interested.
Fabio - Ubiquitous model for romance novel covers during the 1980s and 1990s.
Overdrive - Collection of fiction and non-fiction e-books, as well as online audiobooks, available for MCPL customers to borrow.
Passionflix - Online collection of movies based on popular romance novels. Alas, not an MCPL resource.
Episode Summary: Hosts Julie Dina, Lauren Martino, and David Payne talk about New Years resolutions. Are they helpful? What are some strategies for keeping them? How can MCPL help you make a change?
Recording Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Hosts: Julie Dina, Lauren Martino, and David Payne
Featured MCPL Resource: February is Library Lovers Month. The Library Lovers Month Kickoff event will take place at Aspen Hill Library, February 3, 2018 at 11 AM. It will feature an interactive STEM show and a hands-on booth “Bubbling Potions and Explosions” by the Science Guys of Baltimore. Here are some other fun events to help you express your love for libraries.
What Our Hosts Are Reading:
Julie Dina: Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi
Lauren Martino: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia, whose other well known books include Gone Crazy in Alabama and One Crazy Summer.
David Payne: A Legacy of Spies by John le Carré, who also wrote The Spy Who Came in from the Cold and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
Books and other MCPL Resources Mentioned During this Episode:
Artist Works: Unlimited access to beginning through advanced, self-paced video lessons for instruments, voice and physical art. NOTE: Our subscription to Artist Works does not currently include quizzes.
Broke Millenial: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together by Erin Lowry
Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande, who also wrote Being Mortal
Gale Courses: High-quality, free courses and career training programs offered entirely online.
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Learning Express: Offers online tutorials, practice tests, and e-books to improve job search and workplace skills; reading, writing, math, and basic science comprehension; and career certification, licensure and education testing skills.
Lynda.com: Learn new skills online! Lynda.com offers over 6,000 courses in business, technology, and creative endeavors taught by industry experts.
The 21 Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Freedom by Michelle Singletary
Other Items of Interest:
Habitica: App mentioned by host Lauren Martino that turns adopting good habits and avoiding bad ones into a game.
Episode Summary: Librarians Amy Alapati and Dana Alsup discuss MCPL's upcoming comic convention, MoComCon. The event will include a variety of panels, workshops, programs, displays, exhibits, and cosplay, all free of charge.
MoComCon will take place at Silver Spring Library on Saturday, January 27, 2018 (weather date is February 10) from 11 AM - 4 PM. Parking, which is free on Saturdays, is available in the Wayne Avenue Garage at 921 Wayne Avenue.
Recording Date: December 13, 2017
Hosts: Lauren Martino and David Payne
Guests: Amy Alapati, a children's librarian at Damascus Library is a member of the committee organizing MoComCon. Dana Alsup, a librarian at Marilyn Praisner Library, is the chair of this year's MoComCon Committee.
Featured MCPL Resource: Free WiFi is available in all MCPL branches, no special encryption settings, user names, or passwords are required.
What Our Guests Are Reading:
Amy Alapati: The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Dana Alsup: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, a follow on novel of Fangirl, and Pashmina by Nidhi Chanani
Books Mentioned During this Episode:
Adventures of Polo by Regi Faller
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Boys of Steel by Marc Tyler Nobleman
Bill the Boy Wonder by Marc Tyler Nobleman
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
March trilogy by John Lewis
Maus by Art Spiegelman
Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales by Nathan Hale
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Saints by Gene Luen Yang
Shaun Tan - Author of children's graphic novels including The Arrival and Tales from Outer Suburbia.
Raina Telgemeier - Children's book author known for her novels Drama and Smile.
Other Items of Interested Mentioned During this Episode:
Cosplay - Costumed roleplaying that involves wearing costumes and accessories to represent a specific character.
Don Sakers - Baltimore/Washington area author and sci fi convention speaker.
Futuremakers - Organization focused on providing training, tools, and materials for makers.
MoComCon - MCPL's comic convention. MoComCon will include a variety of panels, workshops, programs, displays, exhibits, and cosplay, all free of charge.
Amy Pond - Character in the Doctor Who series. She was the first companion to the Doctor in his 11th incarnation.
San Diego Comic Con - The premiere comic convention in the United States.